Ban, Cathrea cruise to decisive wins in San Francisco City Championship

Here’s the latest example of how much golf has changed since Ken Venturi, Harvie Ward and George Archer won the San Francisco City Championship: Sunday’s winner weighs 135 pounds, doesn’t lift weights and still smacks his tee shots 300 yards.

“I guess I’m kind of flexible,” Shintaro Ban said sheepishly.

Shintaro Ban powered his way to victory in Sunday’s finals. (Chronicle photo)

Ban, an 18-year-old senior at Mitty High in San Jose, coasted to victory in the 97th edition of the City. He zoomed ahead early in the 36-hole final at Presidio Golf Course, ultimately pocketing an 8-and-7 triumph over Rick Reinsberg of Lafayette.

Casie Cathrea won the women’s title by an even more lopsided margin, 10-and-9 over Anna Zhou of Gunn High in Palo Alto. Cathrea, an 18-year-old from Livermore, earned her second consecutive City title.

Ban was impressive in the men’s final, blending length off the tee, touch around the greens and poise belying his age. His decisive victory was even more notable considering the track record of his opponent.

Reinsberg, a 41-year-old Cal alum, can play the game. He’s an accomplished amateur who won the City in 2003 and also has won the Alameda Commuters five times, but he offered scant resistance as Ban blew past him.

“He played awesome and I didn’t have a very good day,” Reinsberg said. “He made 1,000 birdies. He’s a great player with a bright future.”

Ban shot 32 on the front nine of Sunday morning’s round – yes, that will work – and unofficially finished the day with one eagle and 11 birdies in 29 holes.

He generates his power with a big shoulder turn, but Ban was most proud of his putting. He pointed to three pivotal birdie putts in building his early lead – a 5-footer on No. 1 and downhill putts of approximately 20 feet on No. 4 and 25 feet on No. 14.

“I felt really good with the putter today,” he said.

Ban will play at UNLV in the fall. Among his college goals is squaring off against his older brother, Shotaro, a redshirt sophomore on Cal’s nationally ranked team.

On the women’s side, Cathrea held a modest 3-up lead after the morning round. She quickly pulled away after lunch, closing out Zhou with a long drive, another driver from the fairway and a two-putt birdie on No. 9, a par-5.

Casie Cathrea won the City for the second consecutive year. (Chronicle photo)

Cathrea brings an interesting back story. She was home schooled the past several years and accepted a scholarship to traditional golf powerhouse Oklahoma State. Cathrea stayed less than six months, returning home in January after some philosophical differences with head coach Courtney Jones.

“It didn’t go well,” Cathrea said. “They had their system and I had mine.”

Cathrea plans to turn pro in October, after competing as an amateur the next seven months. She hopes to land a sponsor exemption to next month’s LPGA event at Lake Merced, and then she’s eyeing a spot on the U.S. team for the Curtis Cup, an amateur match play event against Great Britain/Ireland in June.

In the men’s senior championship, Jim Williams won his second title in three years. Williams defeated former Harding Park general manager Steve Schroeder, 7-and-6.